Public and Non-Profit Organisation Management in the Post-COVID-19 World: Possible Issues and Options for Bangladesh

Abstract

This is a revised version of a webinar presentation for a program at the East Delta University, Bangladesh. At first, it underlines the possibility of a debate on the rationality of ‘unscientific lockdown’ that is to harm those people more who are likely to be affected less by the virus, especially in Bangladesh. The discussion then suggests six possible factors to define the post-COVID-19 world and its trajectories, that would create opportunity as well as challenges for Bangladesh. Characterising the non-profit sector with available six legal forms and their varied regulatory mechanisms and the overarching ‘Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Ordinance of 1977 (amended in 1982), the work argues, referring to the related theories, that there may not be one uniform form of management or leadership. It is to be contingent upon the size, purpose, age, and (sources) of fund of the organisation. It proceeds further to analyse why all organization are to focus on ‘efficiency’ as a core dimension of management, while the public sector needs to consider ‘outcome equity’. The government should acknowledge the contribution of the non-profit sector and let it function to offer goods and services for the disaffected ‘majority’ without exploitation or profiteering in the guise of non-profit, but with enough regulation to ensure fairness and state security. As such, in the uncertain post-COVID-19 world, where the private sector is likely to shrink or lose face, the NPOs’ management basics should be self-regulation without any bias or division because the government and society would need them collectively more in ensuring outcome-equity. The work is based on the authors’ previous comprehensive works on the non-profit sector and other secondary sources of information and data, as cited and listed at the end.

Keywords: COVID-19, NPO, Efficiency, Equity, Bangladesh, Management, non-profit

JEL Classification: Z18